UK: Food is not a weapon
Britain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Barbara Woodward, shared a message before the UN Security Council session where the effects of Russia’s decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement will be discussed.
Referring to Russia’s unilateral step, Woodward noted that Russia’s claims that the grain agreement did not work are unfounded.
Reminding that 33 million tons of grain were exported under the agreement, Woodward stated that some of them were transferred to countries struggling with famine.
“Russia’s sabotage of the agreement exposes these people to starvation,” Woodward said, adding that Russia’s targeting of Ukrainian grain-filled ports also shows how much Moscow doesn’t care about “global hunger.”
Woodward, “We call on Russia to return to the agreement. Food is not a weapon. The UN, Turkey and Ukraine are ready,” he said.
Grain Corridor Agreement
In order to reduce the impact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine on global food prices, the UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement with a ceremony held in Istanbul on July 22, 2022.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitriy Peskov, in his statement regarding the expired Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement, said, “The grain corridor agreement has actually come to an end, it has been stopped. Russia will immediately return to the grain agreement as soon as the relevant conditions are applied. The part of the agreement regarding Russia has not been fulfilled.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he welcomed the decision with “deep regret” and said that Russia’s decision today will deal a blow to all those in need.
